In this article we will understand how utilize a famous developer productivity tool called fiddler as REST API Test Client for SharePoint (though the target system could be anything with a valid REST API Endpoint)

Fiddler is primarily used as a Web Proxy that can allow you intercept REST API Request – Response Cycle. The usage of this tool has increase with shift in modern SharePoint development paradigms that favors more if Client Side Development Techniques/Strategies/Platforms rather than traditional Farm Solutions.

In this upcoming section of this article I will guide on how to use Fiddler to test REST API Call against SharePoint Data.

In this article we will explore only GET type of Requests only.

To start with this demo launch Fiddler and go to “Rules” Menu and Select “Automatically Authenticate”, this will let Fiddler to authenticate you against SharePoint based on the User Token stored once.

If this setting is not enabled you might encounter “401 UNAUTHORIZED” as shown below-

Also notice the request headers that are required to execute the SharePoint REST API Endpoint